Chapter 48: The Ageless Demoness

Firefight.

Faked death to escape!

In Dou Changsheng’s mind, one idea after another arose.

He couldn’t help but slightly lift his head, gazing at the carriage roof—utterly speechless before heaven.

Indeed, his misfortune had always clung to him like a shadow; he’d known this trip would bring no good.

Rank 79 on the Human List: Blood Hand — Jin Sanming.

His information instantly surfaced in Dou Changsheng’s mind; he had viewed the Human List more than once. He couldn’t say he had memorized every name backward and forward, but whenever a name was mentioned, he could instantly pinpoint the details.

Jin Sanming was a prodigy who rose to fame in his youth, specializing in the Crimson Blood Divine Art, a supreme technique of the demonic sect, Divine Blood Gate.

The Divine Blood Gate was a major sect in Fangzhou, Zheng territory, known for killing to cultivate—standard demonic practice.

But Jin Sanming’s fame wasn’t due solely to his strength; he had a brother.

Sky-Crying Hand — Jin Wuming.

He ranked 19th on the Human List, one of the top talents in Jin State.

How many names even made the top twenty of the Human List, when all nations competed?

Among the younger generation, the demonic path was led by Jin Wuming.

The two brothers both appeared on the Human List, hailed as a legendary tale.

As a result, the Divine Blood Gate gained immense renown, quietly rising to challenge Jin State’s top demonic sect.

This Chen Taizhen? He’s truly no good.

Seeing Dou Changsheng fall silent, Chen Taizhen lifted his teacup, took a sip, and smiled: “Go prepare.”

“In about two hours, Jin Sanming should arrive.”

The curtain parted; a sword maiden gestured for Dou Changsheng to leave. He rose slowly, stepped out of the carriage, and stood outside, gazing at the luxurious vehicle—Dou Changsheng sighed inwardly.

He hadn’t even seen the young emperor this time; clearly, his imperial status had been stripped. Chen Taizhen no longer bothered pretending—he’d fully turned the young emperor into a puppet.

Such a person—no doubt some ancient monster pretending to be young.

Ma Liren had quietly approached Dou Changsheng’s side, whispering: “Dou Hero?”

“What’s happened?”

“As long as it doesn’t involve life or death, please endure it, Dou Hero.”

“To be frank, this escort mission is to return the deposed emperor to Beiyang.”

“You and I are merely ornaments to him.”

“She is the true force.”

Ma Liren watched the carriage vanish into the distance, then lowered his voice further: “You’re a disciple of the Wang clan of Xiangzhou, of noble lineage.”

“You’ve surely heard of those great figures.”

“Among them, one particularly enjoys pretending to be young.”

“The Emperor has long suspected that Chen Taizhen is none other than that legendary figure.”

“The Ageless Demoness!”

Ma Liren’s demeanor grew even more humble, his back bending deeper—as if he were Dou Changsheng’s servant.

What had once been mere pretense was now genuine awe, reverence, and submission—no will to resist remained. A Grand Master, the Empress’s trusted confidant, entrusted with the critical duty of guarding the deposed emperor—his status was undeniable.

Yet he bowed to a Qi Refining cultivator. Such a thing was unthinkable, absurd—and yet it had happened. Reality brimmed with absurdity and drama.

The Ageless Demoness!

Those four characters exploded in Dou Changsheng’s mind like thunder.

Compared to them, Jin Sanming, Jin Wuming—what were they? Worthless.

Even Chen Qingyao paled in comparison.

Chen Qingyao was merely third on the Earth List; the Ageless Demoness was among the top ten on the Heaven List.

A true being who stood shoulder to shoulder with heaven, looked down upon all mortals, a celestial above all.

The Three Yang Divine Lord was only suspected of transformation, still in the process of descending to mortal form—and yet he had terrified countless nobles in the capital, forcing them to refrain from direct action against the Three Yang Sect for centuries.

But this Ageless Demoness? She was a true giant of the Heaven List, one of the elite even among celestial beings.

Ma Liren hadn’t mentioned this at first; now, suddenly voicing his suspicion, Dou Changsheng instantly understood why: before his entanglement with the Ageless Demoness, he was merely someone the Wang clan valued.

Even with noble birth, solid strength, and excellent talent, he hadn’t yet grown into his potential—enough to merit attention, nothing more.

But now, after being personally summoned by the Ageless Demoness, entangled in her affairs, his status had skyrocketed—his worth had multiplied a hundredfold.

Wang Tianhe himself had explained: the Ageless Demoness had a peculiar habit—she loved hiding behind geniuses, playing pretend with them.

This must mean something, but with too little information, he couldn’t tell if it was merely her eccentricity—or if she was plotting something.

But one thing was clear: those chosen were always geniuses among geniuses.

The most obvious example now? Ghost Valley Divine Lord Chen Qingyao.

In Ma Liren’s eyes, Dou Changsheng had become the pre-rising Ghost Valley Divine Lord.

Even if things were worse, he was still among the top five on the Earth List.

This martial world.

Is it really this dangerous?

Dou Changsheng’s heart pounded wildly.

Each beat surged to his throat, on the verge of bursting out.

Though this was only speculation, unconfirmed, merely suspected.

Yet Dou Changsheng’s heart leaned toward it being true.

And that raised another question: why would a Heaven List powerhouse, a figure whose footstep could shake all nations, seek out someone as insignificant as him?

Go bother the Demon Master. Go find Chen Qingyao.

Heaven List cultivators rarely appear; the active ones are Earth List Grand Masters—but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

Where did Jin Sanming get the courage?

To dare raid this convoy?

Well, fine—he was brought by Chen Taizhen to stage this.

Dou Changsheng believed eighty percent, kept twenty percent doubt—after all, this scene might just be Ma Liren’s elaborate setup, designed specifically for him.

To defeat a rank 79 Human List expert, he must give everything.

Ma Liren glanced at the distant carriage, then whispered: “This convoy includes a manager from the Wu Lin Tower.”

“I originally thought it was strange. Now I see—it was all arranged.”

“When the battle begins, Dou Hero, be careful.”

“Those who catch her attention and survive? They become great figures.”

“Those who don’t survive? They’re all dead.”

After speaking, Ma Liren retreated far away—as if Dou Changsheng were a source of calamity to be avoided.

Dou Changsheng calmed himself. A simple escort mission—Yu Yun surely hadn’t anticipated it would draw out a Heaven List powerhouse. This dwarfed even the Empress’s coup.

His misfortune never disappointed him.

At midnight, a long howl pierced the air.

Fire erupted across the convoy.

Dou Changsheng immediately shouted: “Protect the Prince of Beiyang!”

He drew his Hero Sword, standing before the carriage, awaiting his destined foe.

Dou Changsheng was calm.

Why?

Future Dou had given him a boost.

He had grown stronger!